"At the heart of a growing America"

1^st FCS Awards Ag Scholarships

2003

Twenty-three graduating high school seniors will receive the 2003 “At the heart of a growing America” agricultural scholarship from 1st Farm Credit Services.

“We continue to be impressed with the quality of the applicants,” according to Wayne Gustafson, 1st FCS president and CEO. This year, a total of 90 applications were received.

The $750 scholarships are awarded to applicants pursuing an agriculture or agriculture-related curriculum at a university, college or community college. Selection is based on a combination of academic achievement, community and agricultural youth organization involvement, and a brief essay.

The program is open to 1st Farm Credit Services client and non-client families. Several regional independent selection committees composed of agribusiness, youth, education and farm organization leaders judged the scholarship applications.

“The purpose of our ‘At the heart of a growing America’ agricultural scholarship program is to assist deserving high school seniors to further their education in an agriculture or agriculture-related field of study, and to help promote agriculture as a growing field of career opportunities,” Gustafson explains.

“We’re very pleased to give something back to agriculture and the communities we serve,” he adds. More than $17,000 in scholarships was awarded in the program, in addition to $4,500 awarded annually in 1st FCS’ community college agricultural scholarship program.

In most cases, the “At the heart of a growing America” scholarship recipients will be recognized at a client appreciation function this summer at one of the 1st FCS offices.

Following is information about this year’s scholars selected from the various 1st FCS offices:

Aledo

Andrew Retherford, Joy

Retherford is the son of John and Lois Retherford.  He will be attending Southern Illinois University in the spring of 2004 studying mechanical engineering.  He first plans to attend Illinois Army National Guard basic training this June and advanced training in August.  Retherford is graduating 5^th in his class from Westmer High School where he was active in FFA, serving as chapter Student Council representative and ag plot committee chair.  He is a nine-year member of the Joy-Eliza 4-H Club, serving as vice president, secretary, reporter and treasurer, and president of the County 4-H Federation.  Retherford also was a member of the National Honor Society.

Amboy

Stephanie Gonigam, Walnut

Gonigam is the daughter of Greg and Stacy Gonigam.  She will attend Iowa State University this fall studying agricultural business.  She is graduating in the top third of her class from Bureau Valley High School where she was involved in FFA, serving as chapter historian and reporter and was a Star Chapter Farmer.  In 2002, she won the district and section extemporaneous public-speaking contest.  Gonigam is a 10-year member of the Walnut Winners 4-H Club, serving as president, vice president and secretary.  She was a member of her school’s Envirothon Team, which specialized in aquatics last year and received second in the county.  Gonigam was a member of the National Honor Society and taught Sunday School to preschoolers.

Bourbonnais

Jeffrey Meyer, Peotone

Meyer is the son of James and Ann Meyer.  He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying technical systems management.  He is graduating from Manteno High School where he was very active in FFA, serving as chapter treasurer and second vice president and participating in section soils judging, the Quiz Bowl and state dairy judging.  Meyer is a 10-year member of Manteno Best Pioneers 4-H Club, serving as vice president and reporter.  He exhibited animals at the World Dairy Expo and the North American Livestock Exposition.  He was team captain for football, basketball and baseball and was on the academic honor roll.  Meyer is a member of his church’s youth group.

Carthage

Landon Guymon, Burnside

Guymon is the son of Kent and Teresa Guymon.  He will be attending Western Illinois University this fall studying agribusiness.  He is graduating 11^th in his class from Carthage High School where he was active in FFA, serving as an officer, earning his Chapter and State FFA Degrees and attending the national convention.  He also served as a 4-H junior leader and on many committees.  He was a volunteer YMCA referee and coach.  He was on the football and basketball teams and was a member of the National Honor Society.  Guymon has been a church liturgist and a member of the pastor parish committee.

Edwards

Joshua Rollins, Oneida

Rollins is the son of Jonathan and Anna Rollins.  He will attend Carl Sandburg College and then transfer to the University of Illinois to study ag engineering.  He is graduating 4^th in his class from ROWVA High School where he was active in FFA, serving as vice president, plot manager and earning his Chapter and State FFA Degrees.  He also was the Section 4 beef production proficiency winner.  He is a 10-year member of the Wataga Trailblazers 4-H Club, serving as president, treasurer and reporter, and Knox County 4-H Federation director and secretary.  He was a member of the National Honor Society and was on the football, basketball and baseball teams.

Eureka

Holly Eichelberger, Eureka

Eichelberger is the daughter of Robert and Tamara Eichelberger.  She will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying pre-veterinary medicine.  She is graduating 1^st in her class from Eureka High School where she was stage crew manager for plays and musicals, treasurer of the Science Club and a member of National Honor Society.  Eichelberger was active in FFA, where she headed the community development committee, participated in state and national conventions and earned her State FFA Degree.  She has been active in the Woodford County 4-H Club and Federation, holding offices such as president, vice president and treasurer and serving as an Illinois state ambassador.  She volunteers in the nursery of her church and has helped with Vacation Bible School.

Freeport

Zach Lamoreux, Lanark

Lamoreux is the son of Louis and Sue Lamoreux.  He will be attending the Universal Technical Institute studying auto/diesel mechanics and plans to have a career in the agricultural industry.  He is graduating 1^st in his class from Eastland High School where he was active in FFA for four years, participating in many leadership and recreational activities.  Lamoreux also was an after-school tutor for grade-school children.

Geneseo

Tim Anderson, Prophetstown

Anderson is the son of James and Kathy Anderson.  He will attend Blackhawk College this fall and then transfer to Western Illinois University to study ag production, agronomy and animal science.  He is graduating in the top 11 percent of his class from J.D. Darnall High School where he was active in FFA, serving as president, vice president and sentinel and being named Star Chapter Farmer and Star Farmer for Section 3.  His SAE projects were on diversified ag production, ag mechanics, beef production and diversified crop production.  He is a 10-year member of 4-H, serving as president and vice president, helping with Adopt A Highway and collecting money for a food pantry.  He is a member of his church’s youth group.

Macomb

Doug Melvin, Marietta

Melvin is the son of Jim and Debbie Melvin.  He will attend Spoon River College this fall studying ag mechanics/welding and education.  He is graduating 4^th in his class from Cuba High School where he was active in FFA, serving as an officer and chapter sentinel.  He has been involved in livestock, meats, dairy, grains, horse and soils judging.  He also participated in ag sales and ag mechanics contests.  Melvin is a 10-year member of 4-H, serving as president and a five-year member of the 4-H Federation.  He has been a 4-H Great Outdoors Camp counselor.  He also is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Club.  He was a member of the National Honor Society.

Macomb

Isaac Vohland, Farmington

Vohland is the son of Robert and Debra Vohland.  He will attend Spoon River College this fall and then transfer to Western Illinois University to study agricultural science and chemistry.  He is graduating 1^st in his class from Farmington High School where he was active in FFA, serving as chapter secretary and participating in crops and soil judging.  He earned his State FFA Degree.  He is a nine-year member of 4-H, serving as secretary and participating in 4-H Federation activities.  He was captain of his high school Science Olympiad Team and won the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Chemistry competition at the regional and sectional levels and attended the state competition.  He was a member of the National Honor Society.

Monmouth

Chris Bertelsen, Little York

Bertelsen is the son of Tom and Sue Bertelsen.  He will attend Western Illinois University this fall studying agribusiness.  He is graduating in the top third of his class from Yorkwood High School where he was active in FFA as a member of the livestock judging team and worked on the record-keeping project.  He is a 10-year member of 4-H, serving as president, treasurer and recreation chairman.  He showed cattle, hogs, woodworking and model rocketry.  He won Grand Champion Steer and Grand Champion Barrow.  He was involved in his school’s Scholastic Bowl and was on the football team.  Bertelsen also has been a leader of the after-school program at the local church.

Morris

Lindsey Anderson, Yorkville

Anderson is the daughter of Richard and Lisa Anderson.  She will attend Joliet Junior College this fall studying business management and plans to transfer to a university to complete her degree.  She is graduating in the top third of her class from Newark Community High School where she was active in FFA, earning her Chapter and State FFA Degrees and the FFA Swine Proficiency Award.  She also was secretary for the FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team.  Anderson was active on the 4-H livestock judging team, the fall recreation committee and the statewide food drive.  She served on her school’s Student Council and yearbook staff and was a member of the National Honor Society.  She received an honorable mention in the 14^th Congressional Art Competition.

Morrison

Bryce Young, Sterling

Young is the son of Barry and Donna Young.  He will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville this fall studying environmental conservation.  He is graduating in the top 13 percent from Sterling High School.  He is a 10-year member of the Genesee Hillbillies 4-H Club, where he has served on committees for fund-raising, roadside cleanup and fairground cleanup.  He is a delegate to Whiteside County Federation teens and was president of the organization.  As a 4-H ambassador in the county, he helped organize and host three new-member parties and promoted 4-H at county fair booths and school open houses.  His 4-H projects ranged from food and nutrition to wildlife conservation to horticulture and market swine.  Last summer Young was an Illinois music ambassador to seven countries in Europe, where he played in the band and sang in the choir at performances in major cities.  He was a member of the National Honor Society.

Normal

No applications were received from the Normal office this year.  The regional selection committee awarded this scholarship to a Pontiac office applicant.

Oregon

Megan Tyler, Monroe Center

Tyler is the daughter of Richard and Marcia Tyler.  She will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying animal sciences.  She is graduating 8^th in her class from Stillman Valley High School where she was active in FFA, serving as chapter secretary and Section I vice president.  She participated in soil, livestock and horse judging.  She is vice president of the Ogle County 4-H Club, where she chaired the committee for the annual horse show and volunteered at the children’s farm at the Ogle County Fair.  Tyler served as president of the Student Council and president of the National Honor Society.  She also was on the volleyball and soccer teams.

Ottawa

Joseph Janssen, Ransom

Janssen is the son of John and Mae Janssen.  He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying crop science.  He is graduating in the top quarter in his class from Dwight Township High School where he was president of the FFA Chapter.  He also was involved in his school’s peer advisor/tutor program, math team, Scholastic Bowl, track and Spanish Club.  He was on the honor roll all four years.  He is active in his church’s youth group.

Pekin

Rodney Aberle, Tremont

Aberle is the son of Pete and Debbie Aberle.  He will be attending Illinois Central College this fall studying agribusiness.  He is graduating from Tremont High School where he was active in Student Council, operating a small candy store and soda machine, taking student complaints to the school board and planning/hosting school dances. During his junior and senior years, he was a co-op student for Aberle Farms.  He is an eight-year member of the Tremont Co-op 4-H Club, serving as president, showing dairy cattle and exhibiting corn and soybeans at annual fairs.  Aberle is involved in his church’s youth group, singing and hosting benefit suppers.

Pontiac

Jacob Aupperle, Pontiac

Aupperle is the son of Ronald and Vicki Aupperle.  He will attend Joliet Junior College this fall studying agriculture production and management.  He is graduating in the top 20 percent in his class from Pontiac Township High School where he was on the committee that helped bring back agriculture classes to the school and was a member of the National Honor Society for music.  He was involved in 4-H, where he received the service achievement award and was selected for the state fair in electricity and rocketry.  He was a member of the National Honor Society.  Aupperle is a member of this church’s youth group.

Pontiac

Jared Walter, Forrest

Walter is the son of Peter and LaRae Walter.  He will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying crop science.  He is graduating 4^th in his class from Prairie Central High School where he was involved in FFA, participating on the National Agricultural Sales Team, dairy and soils judging and the Parliamentary Procedure Team.  As a 4-H member, he served as vice president, treasurer and reporter.  He participated in dairy judging; pheasant, quail and gardening projects; and community-service projects. Walter participated in his school’s Scholastic Bowl, Envirothon, band and Operation Cool, which promotes seatbelt usage among teenagers.  He has volunteered at a mission and food pantry.  He was a National Honor Society member.

Princeton

Craig Sondgeroth, LaMoille

Sondgeroth is the son of Steve and Kathy Sondgeroth.  He will be attending the University of Illinois this fall studying crop sciences.  He is graduating 7^th in his class from La Moille High School where he was co-president of the Student Council and captain of the football, basketball and Scholastic Bowl teams.  He has been active in the Clarion Comets 4-H Club, serving as treasurer and qualifying for state competition in electricity.  He worked at the Pioneer research facility assisting plant breeders and cross-pollinating new corn hybrid varieties.  He also is active in the local Lions Club and his church.

Quincy

Ryan Ohnemus, Payson

Ohnemus is the son of Alvin and Janet Ohnemus.  He will attend Bradley University, Quincy University or Western Illinois University to study computer science.  He is graduating 11^th in his class from Payson Seymour High School where he was active in FFA, earning his Chapter and State FFA Degrees and participating in state and national conventions.  He also was active in dairy judging, horticulture, state forestry, parliamentary procedure and on the meats team.  He was president of his school’s Technology Club and participated in the Quiz Bowl, golf, band and Student Council.  He was a member of the National Honor Society and is a lifetime member of the Society for Academic Achievement.  Ohnemus is active in his church as a hospitality minister, usher and collection counter.

Rockford

No applications were received from the Rockford office this year.  The regional selection committee awarded this scholarship to a Sycamore office applicant.

Sycamore

Adam Hipple, Waterman

Hipple is the son of Jerald and Susan Hipple.  He will attend Western Illinois University this fall studying ag science with an ag systems technology emphasis.  He is graduating 5^th in his class from Indian Creek High School where he was active in FFA and earned his Chapter Degree.  He also received the DeKalb County Youth in Agriculture Award.  Hipple also was active in 4-H, taking his rocketry projects to the state level for three years.  He was president of his school’s Art Club, president of IMAGE (Imagine Me After Graduation with Excellence) and treasurer of DCP/SAFE(DeKalb County Partnership for Safe, Active Family Environment.  Hipple also was a DARE role model and played in this school’s pep and concert bands.  He was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of his church’s youth group.

Sycamore

Timothy Hoyt, Big Rock

Hoyt is the son of Jeff and Mary Hoyt.  He will be attending the University of Illinois this fall studying horticulture.  He is graduating 1^st in his class from Sandwich High School where he was active in FFA, earning his Chapter FFA Degree and participating in land-use and crops contests.  He placed first in the section proficiency awards for forest management and products.  He volunteered at blood drives, was active in the Student Leadership Program and served as secretary of the National Honor Society.  He is an Illinois state scholar and a Sons of the American Revolution honorary student.

Woodstock

Alise Kohler, McHenry

Kohler is the daughter of Michael and Joyce Kohler.  She will attend the University of Illinois this fall studying agribusiness, farm and financial management.  She is graduating 9^th in her class from Johnsburg High School.  She was involved in the 4-H Club, taking first in entomology at the McHenry County Fair.  Kohler helped run her school’s food and coat drive and mentored an eighth-grade girl as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  She also tutored Hispanic children in pre-kindergarten.  She was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of her church’s youth group.